Genesis 42:7-20

⁷When Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he disguised himself to them and spoke to them harshly. He said to them, “Where have you come from?” And they said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.”

⁸But Joseph had recognized his brothers, although they did not recognize him. ⁹And Joseph remembered the dreams which he had about them, and he said to them, “You are spies; you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land.” ¹⁰And they said to him, “No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. ¹¹We are all sons of one man; we are honest men, your servants are not spies.” ¹²Yet he said to them, “No, but you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land!” ¹³But they said, “Your servants are twelve brothers in all, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no longer alive.” ¹⁴Yet Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you, you are spies; ¹⁵by this you will be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here! ¹⁶Send one of you and have him get your brother, while you remain confined, so that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, you are certainly spies!” ¹⁷So he put them all together in prison for three days.

¹⁸Now Joseph said to them on the third day, “Do this and live, for I fear God: ¹⁹if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in your prison; but as for the rest of you, go, carry grain for the famine of your households, ²⁰and bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified, and you will not die.” And they did so.